Recognizing oral lesions.

Common benign lesions include hemagniomas and congenital cysts, pyogenic granuloma, aphthous ulcer, fibromas and changes produced by drugs. Many of these are self-limited and of little consequence. The point of the careful examination is the early detection of oral cancer. Only one patient in three with oral cavity cancer is cured. Premalignant and early asymptomatic lesions must be detected. Recognize the high-risk patient and examine the oral cavity meticulously.